Laser marking is a process that is performed on workpieces and materials to mark and label them with a laser beam. In context to this, different processes are distinguished named as engraving, removing, staining, annealing and foaming. The laser virtually marks various materials including plastics and metals with high contrast and without the addition of any unwanted substances. Mostly, the typical physical impact of the laser marker represents the colour change within the materials; therefore there is no surface modification by corrugations or burrs. Numerous marking methods and laser sources (solid state and Carbon dioxide) are used, to accomplish the elite results on all kinds of materials. If we do not consider the material and marking method, laser marking provides almost unlimited possibilities in reference to marking of contents and shapes.
It is said that the car is roughly made up of 30,000 parts. Although the number can vary vehicle to vehicle, this will still remain the same with a difference of few hundreds and thousands. Laser marking plays a vital role in the automotive industry. The automotive parts need clear and consistent marks that need to be guaranteed for consistent traceability and security purpose. Laser marking systems is the perfect tool for making legible alphanumeric, barcodes, and data matrix codes on almost every material used in an automotive industry. Most of the automotive parts and components are made of a material such as steel, light metals, along with the plastic and are manufactured quality control and traceability. These markings are completely durable and last for a lifetime of a car or the component part. Even if the parts are exposed to high heat, fluid, oil, and gas the markings are resistible to all conditions.
The most integral parts of the automotive manufacturing are its tamper-proof traceability and identification, and almost every vehicle contains hundreds and thousands of laser marked parts and components. The automotive industry is the industry that demands complete clarity and traceability of the components that are related to safety. Materials that are best suited for Laser marking are the following:
- Steel
- Steel alloys
- Aluminum
- Aluminum Alloys
- Coated Metals
- Plastics, such as polyamides PP, ABS, etc.
- Composites
- Natural Fibres
Now let us take a look at some of the applications in the automotive industry. The most likely areas for laser marking in the automotive industry are a proper engraving of data matrix codes and other content for the assurance of quality. Laser marking in this sector is also performed for the design purposes. Some of the most performed applications are
- Speedometer
- Tachometer
- Power window adjustment buttons in the day and night designs
- Functional labels on components
- Engine
- Valve
- Cylinder
- Indicator
- Seatbelt tensioner
Following are the advantages of laser marking in the automotive industry
- It is absolutely flexible and it can mark variable data
- Making takes only seconds and allows greater output
- The production is cost-efficient
- It is integrated into a production lines
- The markings are permanent
- The marking results are perfect with fine tools
- The design opportunities are incredible
Non-contract and reliable material processing capabilities
